How AI is Changing Career Entry
From the perspective of many executives, young talents are often inadequately prepared for their job profiles because they overlook changes brought about by AI.
Executives worldwide are facing a dual challenge: they must deliver short-term results while simultaneously building long-term resilience. A study by the consulting firm Deloitte aims to show how companies can strike this balance—and where urgent action is needed.
For the study, nearly 13,000 business and HR leaders from 93 countries were surveyed. The results provide insight into the transformation of the working world—shaped by technological upheavals, rising demands on leadership, and a growing need to rethink talent development.
Routine Tasks Are Disappearing
According to the study, 66 percent of business and HR leaders report that young talents are insufficiently qualified, primarily due to a lack of necessary skills. The main reason cited for this development is the shift in competency profiles at the start of a career. Artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally challenging traditional work structures in knowledge-based jobs by taking over many routine tasks that were once intended for entry-level employees.
As a result, traditional “learning-by-doing” opportunities are disappearing. Seventy-three percent of executives and 72 percent of employees call for new ways to align organizational demands with opportunities for skill development.
The Changing Role of Leadership
A key component in talent development, according to Deloitte, is the redesign of leadership roles. However, only seven percent of the companies surveyed report noticeable progress in this area. At the same time, leaders themselves are under significant pressure. Nearly 40 percent of their time is spent on administrative tasks and short-term problem solving, leaving little room for coaching and developing employees.
In fact, leaders dedicate only 13 percent of their time to employee development. Thirty-six percent of executives feel inadequately prepared for their leadership responsibilities, and 40 percent report a decline in their mental health after assuming leadership roles.
Sharing Success
Fifty-two percent of surveyed leaders see human-AI collaboration as critical to future business success. A modern Employee Value Proposition (EVP) that enables employees to grow in an AI-driven work environment is becoming increasingly important, according to the study. More than 70 percent of respondents say they are more likely to stay at a company that offers such opportunities.
The study also shows that companies that allow employees to share in the financial benefits of AI—through bonuses or salary adjustments—are nearly six times more likely to achieve real financial success. Nevertheless, 77 percent of the organizations surveyed admit that they have done little to address this so far.
